Why should I send my car to a pre-trip car inspection before my road trip? A road trip holiday usually involves long- distance driving, so the condition of your car is very important to ensure a pleasant vacation for you and your family. You only send your car for servicing every six months (depending on your mileage) so you cannot be absolutely certain in the interim period that your car is still in tip-top condition to undertake a long drive. It’s like taking a flu jab — a preventive measure using all the latest technologies to ensure peace of mind, knowing that the probability of your car breaking down in the middle of the journey and in a foreign land is minimal. What is the inspection process like? Our experienced and qualified technicians focus on the parts that are crucial for long-distance driving. First and foremost, we look at the battery, which is the most important as its condition could make or break your trip. We also look at your tyre conditions and tread depth. Some drivers also forget their spare tyre. Just because you have it stowed away in the back does not mean that it is functional. We also scrutinise the beltings of the car for hairline cracks or wear and tear and ascertain if they need changing. What other parts of the car are examined? We will also check the car’s undercarriage using the Technical Service Centre’s hydraulic ramps to inspect its running gear and look out for signs of wear and tear. We also examine the car cooling system because one that is leaking or faulty could lead to an overheating of the engine, especially if you’re stuck in a traffic jam and the car has been idle for an extended period of time. To wrap the inspection up, we will take your car for a road test to ensure that everything Be a Smooth Operator A road trip vacation can be a dream but if your car acts up en-route, it can also be a holiday nightmare come true. AA Technical Services Manager Mr Tay Chay Sim explains how AA’s Pre-trip Car Inspection can save you a whole lot of trouble down the road. Text and Photo FAIROZA MANSOR runs smoothly and that the steering and tyres are absolutely balanced. Other vital components that we will definitely not miss are the brakes, hoses and lights. The whole inspection takes about an hour. What other inspection services do you do? As a value-added service, we will also check your car’s windscreen and window light transmittance levels to ensure that they fall within the approved limits of your home country and intended destination. The reading is obtained via the use of a tinted glass tester. Some drivers are unaware that their cars’ windscreen and window light transmittance levels actually don’t meet the requirements, especially those with second-hand cars. Besides, not everyone remembers their Highway Code so it’s good to be sure you don’t get into trouble with the authorities overseas. Why can’t I just send my car straight to a workshop and bypass this inspection? What sets AA’s Pre-trip Inspection Service apart from those at workshops is that we don’t provide repairs. This means that we are fair in our inspection and can churn out neutral reports and offer neutral advice. It is not in our interest to advise you to change parts of the car if they don’t require changing. We can however, provide a list of AA Approved Workshops for the customer to decide where to have the repair done based on the inspection report that we issue at the end of the service if they do not have the preferred workshop. AA’s Pre-trip Car Inspection costs $40 for members and $60 for non-members. To make an appointment, please call the Technical Services Department at 6333 8811 / 6389 4270 during office hours. For more details, visit www.aas.com.sg. 12 HIGHWAY FAST NEWS HIGHWAY